Lehnerite is a rare secondary phosphate mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow tabular crystals within weathered pegmatite deposits. It is specifically recognized for its occurrence in phosphate-rich zones of granite pegmatites and requires careful handling due to its uranium content.
Is this lehnerite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch lehnerite with a known reference. Lehnerite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lehnerite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lehnerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Lehnerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lehnerite leaves yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Lehnerite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lehnerite leaves yellow, Torbernite leaves pale green.
Often found alongside lehnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lehnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail
Where rockhounds find lehnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Germany
- Sapucaia mine, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where lehnerite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, phosphosiderite, hureaulite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lehnerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
